Minutes from QACRSPA Meeting - Wednesday, October 8, 2025
11:30 Fellowship and chatting at Centreville United Methodist Church
12:02 Richard thanked Helen for the festive fall decorations and table favors. Richard provided the pumpkins for decorating. We were reminded to be thankful for what we have and live day by day. Richard offered the blessing before Debbie Dean and her daughter served the food.
Program: Sandy introduced Liz Clark from Haven Ministries, a local non-profit that educates, feeds and clothes. Over 1,500 people were fed in one month with food that was donated by various stores and individual donations. Sharon Robertson shared her volunteer experience at Our Daily Thread, a thrift store in the Old Sears Building on Kent Island. Hope Warehouse has furniture and home goods for sale. If someone comes in and can't afford to pay, they are helped with acquiring the desired item. Haven Ministries has a benevolence fund to help pay rent, electric bills, etc. There is a golf tournament in the spring and a $100 a plate dinner in the fall to support these efforts. Shelter at night and the Jacob Sloan Center, during the day, are available to the local homeless population. Liz gave everyone a card explaining the services provided and contact information for those who might want to volunteer. Sharon has placed marked boxes (food pantry, pet supplies) at different venues to encourage donations. She encouraged others to do the same.
Treasurer's Report: As of September 30,2025, Sue reported:
Total in account at Shore United Bank $9,963.52
QACRSPA $4,755.22
Scholarship $5,208.30
Legislative Report: Steve gave everyone a leaflet summarizing the Legislative Priorities for 2026. He explained, the Legislative Committee prioritizes from the 2,000 proposed bills those areas of most concern to MRSPA. The committee meets every two weeks while the legislature is in session. The pension, which includes all state employees is in good shape with 9.86% return on investment. Health benefits are not guaranteed and warrant continued vigilance. The committee has been against statewide curriculum decisions, feeling those decisions should be left up to local subdivisions. The committee is working to reduce increases in long term health care premiums. Steve reminded us to pay attention to legislative alerts from MRSPA. They may require immediate action.
Scholarship: Bobbie reminded us that we currently give 2 scholarships of $2,000 each year - one to a student from KIHS and one to a student from QACHS. In June 2023 additional protocols were added. If one high school had no scholarship applicants and the other high school had two qualified applicants, the committee could award both scholarships to students from that high school. If there was only one qualified applicant the committee could chose to award one scholarship of $4,000.
Last year there was a large surplus in the scholarship fund and the decision was made to suspend the scholarship drive for one year and pay down the fund. Bobbie proposed several options to the membership for consideration if this should happen again.
- Set a maximum amount for the scholarship account. If we exceed that amount then there is no drive for the next year. That keeps the money in your pocket.
- Make the amount of the two scholarships flexible. If there is more money, the amount of the scholarship would increase. We would set aside $4,000, the amount needed to cover the scholarship if no other funds were raised the next year. Then the amount over $4,000 would be divided between the two scholarships. The scholarship would be advertised as being at least $2,000. We wouldn't go less, but could go more.
The idea is not to build up a large scholarship fund but use the money.
Members shared several thoughts- why don't we offer the money to trade students
- put the money in interest bearing accounts
- offer an additional scholarship
- don't depend solely on guidance counselors to get the
information to the students
- put information out in the community, on the electric sign in front of KIHS, in the Teacher Academy Programs
Steve moved that the decision be remanded back to the Executive Committee for a final decision. Dave Brown seconded the motion. Sharon Darling amended the motion to say, the committee's decision should be made considering the information discussed today. Steve so moved and Dave seconded.
Membership: Mary presented Richard with two certificates from MRSPA. QACRSPA is #1 with the greatest membership increase- 8 new members. Additionally, QACRSPA had the greatest percentage increase in membership, 4.3%.
Hospitality: Christmas Luncheon will be at Prospect Bay on Tuesday, December 9th. It will be a served meal with a menu choice on the registration. Helen said we will try to allow more time for responses due to post office issues. Sandy has arranged for the QACHS choir to perform again.
President's Comments:
- Daryl Calloway asked members to consider being a judge, one morning in March, for History Day projects.
- Everyone from the old board office is now in the new board office. The telephone number has changed- (240)913-9696. There will be a dedication/open house on October 23rd at 3:00pm .
- There are rumors about insurance coverage changes. Richard has addressed the issue by asking that retired school personnel be included in any discussion. He has been given a nod of understanding by the superintendent.
- Traditionally our insurance plan has changed every two years. We've had the current plan for a year and a half. Will there be a change?
- Richard encouraged everyone to go on the MRSPA website. Go to Benefits Tab for helpful information.
- At the MRSPA President's Meeting, Jackie and Madeline gave a presentation about their use of Facebook. QACRSPA is recognized again!
- Thank you for water donations.
Necrology Report: Madeline gave the Necrology Report for Susan Boone.
We acknowledge and mourn the loss of:
Gayle Kinnamon
Donna C. Harrington
Frances Gill
Patricia Wood
James Pauls
Dave Dulac's wife, Christine
Donnie Miller, QA referee
Meeting adjourned 1:51pm
Several pumpkins were decorated for nursing home residents and house bound members.
Marge Felty, Secretary |